Head-to-head reliability
Saturn ION vs FORD F 150
How the Saturn ION and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Saturn ION vs FORD F 150: The ION has 4349 complaints over 5 years (870/yr) with severe steering and ignition issues, while the F-150 has 11311 over 10 years (1131/yr) with transmission and electrical problems. The ION's failures are more safety-critical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Saturn ION or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Saturn ION
The Saturn ION is a compact sedan that, in ownership terms, is plagued by serious steering and electrical issues. Owners report sudden loss of power steering, ignition switch failures, and fuel leaks, making it a high-maintenance and potentially unsafe vehicle. With an average of 870 complaints per year and 35 recalls, it demands constant vigilance and repair.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that, while having a higher total complaint count, spans a longer period and shows a lower annual rate. Its main issues are transmission harshness and electrical glitches, but these are less frequent and often less severe than the ION's problems. With 145 recalls, it still requires attention but is generally more reliable.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Saturn ION | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,349 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 35 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 208 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 869.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 153 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 4 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Saturn ION
- 01STEERING1,701
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,550
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM317
- 04AIR BAGS261
- 05FUEL SYSTEM253
Owners report the power steering light coming on and the wheel becoming hard to turn, often due to a failing rack and pinion. This can lead to a sudden loss of steering control, which is critical for safety.
The ignition switch is a major problem, with keys getting stuck or failing to turn, sometimes causing the vehicle to stall or not start. This can leave drivers stranded and is linked to recalls.
Fuel line leaks are reported, producing a strong fuel smell and posing a fire risk. The fuel pump may also knock, and the check engine light can come on, indicating ongoing fuel system issues.
Some owners report that air bags did not deploy in crashes, which is a serious safety concern. This is often tied to electrical issues, such as the ignition switch problem.
“SEVERAL TIMES THESE LAST FEW MONTHS MY VEHICLE PWR STR LIGHT HAS COME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WENT IN THE HOUSE AND GOT MY HUSBAND. WHEN HE TURNED IT ON AND PUT IT IN REVERSE…”
“Rack and pinion is going bad, my mechanic said it's a common issue in these vehicles. When going around a corner it will want to float the opposite way, the steering will eventually get tight my mechanic said until I loose all steering. I am a single mother a…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The transmission, especially the 10-speed automatic, is a common source of complaints. Owners experience hard shifts, jerking, and even sudden loss of power, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Electrical issues manifest as warning lights for front camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions, which can disable safety features. These are frequent and may require dealer visits.
Headlight problems are noted, which can reduce visibility at night and increase the risk of accidents. Recalls have been issued for headlight issues.
Engine-related complaints are less frequent but include performance issues and potential stalling, which can be alarming and unsafe.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Saturn ION — 35 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio…
The risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission…
The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cu…
The defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year…
The risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
The fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should cont…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio…
The risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission…
The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cu…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio…
The risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission…
The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cu…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Saturn ION or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Saturn ION has fewer complaints per year (870 vs 1131), but its issues are more severe and safety-critical, like steering and ignition failures. The Ford F-150, despite a higher annual rate, has less dangerous problems on average. In practice, the ION is riskier to own.
Key differences
- The Saturn ION has a high rate of steering failures (1701 complaints) that can lead to loss of control, while the F-150's main issue is transmission harshness (3553 complaints) but not typically loss of control.
- The ION's ignition switch problems are a known safety hazard, with recalls, whereas the F-150's electrical issues are more about warning lights and sensor malfunctions.
- Fuel leaks are a significant concern in the ION, posing a fire risk, while the F-150 has fewer fuel system complaints.
- The F-150 has a lower annual complaint rate (1131 vs 870) but over a longer period, indicating better long-term reliability.
- Check the power steering system: test turning the wheel at low speeds and look for the power steering warning light.
- Inspect the ignition switch: try turning the key multiple times and ensure it doesn't stick or fail to start.
- Test drive and listen for hard shifts or clunks, especially between 4th and 5th gear, and check for any warning lights on the dash.
- Check the headlights for proper operation and any signs of moisture or failure.
Before you buy
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering rack and pinion on the Saturn ION for leaks or play.
- For the Ford F-150, check the transmission fluid condition and look for any service records related to transmission repairs.
- Verify that all recalls have been performed on both vehicles by checking the VIN with NHTSA.
- Test the ignition switch on the ION by turning the key on and off multiple times.
- On the F-150, check the electrical system for any warning lights and ensure the front camera and pre-collision assist are functional.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Saturn ION or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Saturn ION vs FORD F 150
- Saturn ION total complaints
- 4,349
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Saturn ION total recalls
- 35
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Saturn ION avg complaints/year
- 869.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Saturn ION
- Saturn ION top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN